About

Cypress Care was founded by Kim Baker, a Clinical Social Worker, End-of-life Doula, and Legacy Facilitator. With over a decade of experience working in hospice care, Kim recognized a need to bring additional support, guidance, and purpose to those navigating end of life issues.

End-of-life doulas help individuals determine their preferences for care, facilitate communication, provide comfort measures, assist with practical solutions and resources, and offer emotional support.

End-of-life doula’s strive to ensure that they dying process is as peaceful, dignified, and meaningful as possible for everyone involved.

What is an End-of-Life Doula?

An End-of-Life Doula is a trained professional who provides holistic support to individuals who are facing the end of their life, their loved ones, and to all who are contemplating end of life issues.

When is the right time to connect with an End-of-life Doula?

Some people choose to engage with an end of life doula long before illness comes into their life to help with advance care planning or to engage in legacy projects. Others may seek support closer to the end of life when more immediate care needs arise. Ultimately, the timing of connecting with an end-of-life doula is a personal decision, but having their support can provide comfort and guidance at any stage.

Does an End-of-Life Doula replace the need for Hospice Care?

An end-of-life doula does not replace the need for hospice care. While both provide support during the end-of-life process, they serve different roles.

Hospice care is a specialized form of healthcare that focuses on providing comfort and support to individuals with a terminal illness, typically in the last six months of life.

On the other hand, an end-of-life doula provides non-medical support and companionship to individuals and their families prior to and during the dying process. Doulas offer emotional, spiritual, and practical guidance to assist with advance care planning, navigate end-of-life issues, provide emotional and practical support during the dying process, and provide non-medical comfort measures.

With hospice care facing increasing demands and resource constraints, the role of end-of-life doulas has become even more crucial in meeting the needs of the dying and their loved ones. Hospice staff may have limited time and availability, whereas doulas are able to provide more one on one support. With much smaller caseloads than hospice staff tend to have, an end-of-life doula can be more present and available, thereby building a meaningful relationship with individuals and tailoring their support to each person’s unique needs.

Having worked in hospice and now serving as an end-of-life doula, Kim brings a unique set of skills and perspective to the dying process and enjoys collaborating with hospice teams.

Let’s begin with a free 30 minute consultation to determine if Cypress Care is the right fit for your needs. If so, hourly rates and package options will be shared upfront as insurance does not currently cover end-of-life doula services.